Tote box



\ H. P. SHRIVER TOTE BOX Filed Match 10, 1928 Feb. 16, 1932.

2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 16, 1932. p sHRlVER 1,845,202

TOTE BQX Filed March 10, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORN EYS Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES COMPANY, or VAN wnmxonxo, A CORPORATION or INDIANA TOTE BOX Application filed lli arch 10, 1928; SeriaLNo. 260,742. 7

This invention relates to tote boxes', and more particularly to an improved form of sheet metal tote box having movable trays.

An object of this invention is to provide a sheet metal tote box of advantageous I and improved construction,

Another object of this invention is to provide a tote box which may be'readily carried about and whose contents may bemadereadily available. e A further object of the inventionis to pro vide a tote box having movable trays, said trays when in closed position serving as a closure for said box. Another object ofmy inventionis to provide a tote box having movable trays, said box being readily portable whethersaid trays are inclosed orextended'position."

{A further object of this invention isto provide a tote box having a storage space therein, and movable trays thereabove, said trays being provided with covers' and fastening means whereby said trays may be retained in closed position, and the trays and the storage spaced therebeneath may be completely enclosed.

Other objects of the inventionwi'll. be apparent to those skilledin the art from the disclosure made herein, and from the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of an improved tote box according to my invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the tote box shown in Fig. 1, both trays being shown in outwardly extending position, one of the tray covers being in partly open position;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the toteb'ox showing the trays in closed position;

Fig. 4 is a. fragmentary vertical'section taken on line 44: of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation similar to p 3 illustrating slide means for supporting and moving the trays;

on 1156 66' of Fig. 5; a

Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the box shown in Fig. 5, the trays being shown in outwardly extending position;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged elevation of'one of Fig. 8;

Fi 6 is a fragmentary vertical section the slides shown in Fig. 5, the slide being shownin extended position; 1

mariaNT o FIcE a HARRY P. SHRIVER, or VAN WERT; 01:10, AssIGNoR To KENNEDY MANUFACTURING Fig. 9 is a plan view of the slide shown in Fig. 10 is an end elevation ofthe slide shown in Fig; .9

' 'Fig.;11 is. an'elevation of the slide shown in Fig.8, said slide being shown'in closed position; and i Fig. 12 is a plan view of the slide shownin Fig.11.

My 'nvention contemplates enerally a sheet metal tote box which may e advantageously employed'as a tool kit for mechanics and artisans but which may obviously be employed for many other purposes. The tote box has trays which whenin closed-position are spaced from the bottom-of the box and form a closure therefor. The trays preferably have hinged covers carrying'fastening means whereby protection and'privacy as to the contents of the trays and of the space beneath may be had. The trays may be independently moved into outwardlyextending position to expose and make available the "storage space beneath the trays, whereas the contentsof either tray may be made available by merely opening the respective coversj A handle extending between the end wallsis provided whereby the box may be readily transported or moved regardless of whether the trays are inclosed or outwardly extending position. v I

The tote box is shown as having a bottom 1, side walls 2 and end walls3." The bottom 1 and side walls 2 may preferably be formed of one piece of sheet metal. I The side walls 2 are shown as turned over inwardly at 4 adjacent the top edges, thereof to. form smooth upper edges andto stiffen said side walls.iy

The end walls 3 which are preferably peakshaped and preferably extend well; above the side walls 2 are each shown as provided with an inwardly extending peripheral flange comprising a lower flange portion 5 and aat the same time .light and rigid. At its.

ends the handle 7 may be provided with tabs or flanges 8 which may be spot-welded or otherwise secured to the end walls 3. The rolled portion of the handle 7 moreover is preferably disposed directly adjacent, and

may be secured to, the flanges 6 adj acent'the end wall peaks, asyillustrated in Fig. 4:,to obtain a more rigid structure. The, handle may be strengthened and the box stiflened in any suitable manner, such as by providing a bolt or bolts 24: (Figs. 5, 6, 7) extending longitudinally from one end wall to the other and secured to said end walls. bolts 24 may be disposed within a rolled portion of a handle 7 or in close proximity to the handle.

It will be obvious, of course, that the end walls might be made of different shape and lower than shown, and a handle may be suitably shaped to give the desired clearance above the trays 9 and be suitably secured to the end'walls. 7 V 1 I Trays may be mounted in. any suitable manner spaced from the bottom of the box to form when in closed position a partial or complete closure for the box, such trays being movable into outwardly extending position in suitable manner to expose the interior of the box. Thus, as indicated in Figs. 1 to 4:, inclusive, to each end wall 8 may be secured by suitable means, such as rivets, the brackets 10 and 11,-each bracket 10 having an upstanding portion 12 spaced from the adjacent end wall to which links may be secured. Each bracket 11 has a tray supporting portion 13 disposed preferably at substantially the same elevation as the upper edges of the side walls. The brackets 10 and 11 might, of course, be made integral. v

Disposed on the tray supporting surfaces 13 are shown the longitudinally extending trays 9, eachtray being substantially half the width of the box. Each tray has a bot- 13011114, sides 15 and 15a and ends 16. The trays 9 may, of course, be divided into compartments, if desired. To each tray end 16 is pivotally secured a pair of links 17, each link being also secured to one of said bracket portions .12. The links constituting each pair are parallel and of equal length. By means of said links, each tray 9 may be moved from closed position as indicated in Fig. 3 to open position over an adjacent side wall as shown in Fig. 2, and vice versa. The tray supporting portions 13 are shown as ar- Such bolt or.

ranged tosupport the trays 9 in closed and extended position.

-The trays 9 may also, if desired, be supported and moved into closed or outwardly extending position by suitable slide means, as illustrated in Figs. 5 to 12, inclusive. Thus, channel members 25 maybe welded or otherwise secured to the end walls 3. To each channel member 25 may be secured as by spot welding the substantially G-shaped strips 26, the flanges whereof are shown as turned inwardly toward each other. At their inner ends 27 the inwardly turned flanges of the strips 26 may be pressed toward the web portions of said strips to limit the inward movement of the trays. At the outer ends of the strips 26, the projections 28 may be struck out to limit the outward movement of the trays. The strips 29 having the pressed ends 27 a and projections 28a are similar to the'strips 26 but longitudinally reversed in position,and may be welded or otherwise secured to the ends of the trays 9. Inner slide membersv 30 are shown each arranged tocooperate with a pair of strips 26 and 29. Each slide member 30 comprises a central web and outwardly extending flanges arranged to engage within the flanges, of a pair of strips 26 and 29, each member 30 being shown as formed by channel portions secured together as by spot welding. Spring stops 31 welded or-otherwise secured to the webs of the slide members 30 are shown as extending outwardly from said webs to engage the projections 28 andv 28a to limit the outward movement of the trays, whereby said trays may be rigidly supported even when in outwardly extending position.

Each tray 9 is shown as provided with a cover 18 hinged at the. outer side of the tray. Each cover 18 may be provided with depending flanges 19 and 20 overlying the inner sides 15 and ends 16 of the trays respectively. Fastening means 21 and 22 may be secured to the oovers18 to retain the covers 18, and also the trays 9, in closed position, said fasteningmeans being preferably arranged to cooperate with a padlock of suitable type. To the outer sides 15a of each tray 9 are shown secured handles 23 whereby the trays may be readily moved from and into closed position. 7

In either. modification shown in the drawings, the trays 9 may be individually moved into outwardly extending or closed position by manual manipulation, said trays being rigidly supported in either position.

In certain'cases the tray covers 18 may be omitted, and, of course, many forms of covers other than shown may be employed. Thus, tray covers having no hinges might be employed, or the covers may be hinged ployed. Or, one tray cover may overlie the other and the longitudinal space between said trays.

lVhile I have showntwo trays of substantially equal size, it will be obvious that such It will be noted that I have shown the end walls as rising vertically to a point higher than the tops of the trays. This feature is advantageous in that when the trays are in closed position, the linkage, slide mechanism or other connectingmeans is substantially protected from accidental damage or tampering. My invention, however, is not limited to the particular shape of end walls shown in the drawings.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a tote box of light, convenient, compact, economical and rigid structure. 7

It will further be seen that my improved tote box may be readily carried about when the trays are in extended position with the entire contents of the box exposed and available.

It will be noted that in. the tote box disclosed herein, all portions of the box are readily accessible, and yet said box may be quickly closed and locked to protect the contents thereof.

It will also be seen that I have provided a tote box having movable'trays arranged to carry articles, which said trays serve also as a closure for storage space therebeneath.

It will be seen also that my tote box will remain in closed position without danger of opening accidentally and spilling the contents thereof.

It will be noted further that I have provided a well-balanced tote box, and convenient and sturdy carrying means therefor.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the particular forms of apparatus shown and described, and the particular procedure set forth, are presented for purposes of explanation and illustration and that various modifications of said apparatus and procedure can be made without departing from my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A tote box comprising, in combination a substantially rectangular bottom, relatively low side walls, and end walls extending well above said side walls, a carrying handle extending longitudinally of said box well above said side walls and secured to each of said end wall-s, tray supporting means within said box, a pair of trays supported -well" above 'the' bottom of; said 5 box on said "tray 'supporting jnieans wherebyto 5 provide a storage spacebeneath *said trays, links sea curing '--each -said' trayito said box whereby each said tray may be moved to *anoutwardly extending position; over one of said side walls andvice versa, covers each hinged- -ly'--secured to one fef 'sa-id traysa'djacent the outer side t-h'ereof; and cooperative 'fastening means carried "bylsaid covers whereby said trays in'ay bei retained in closed position.

i 2. "1K tote box comprising, in combination, a substantially' rectangul ar' bottom, relatively low side walls, and peak-shaped end walls wansimmg i-nwardly extending peripheral flanges whereby. said end walls may be rigid and be readily secured to said bottom and side walls, a handleof rolled sheet metal extending longitudinally of said box, the ends of said r'olled portion being disposed directlyfadjacent and beneath the end wall flanges at the peaks of said walls, said handle having vertical flanges at the ends thereof each secured to one of said end walls, tray supporting means within said box, and a tray arranged to be supported on said tray supporting means, and links securing said tray to said box whereby said tray may be moved to an outwardly extending position over one of said side walls, and vice versa.

3. In a tote box having low side walls and end walls extending well above said sidewalls, continuous peripheral flanges formed on said end walls and extending inwardly therefrom, said flanges being secured to said side walls, and a longitudinal sheet metal handle memberhaving depending integral flanges thereon secured to said end walls well above thebottom of said box, the upper faces of the ends of said handle being abutted against the uppermost portions of said peripheral flanges.

4. A tote box comprising end walls having continuous peripheral flanges formed integral therewith, a single piece of metal having its longitudinal sides bent upwardly seated against and secured to said peripheral flanges thereby-providing a bottom and side walls for said box, said side walls being of...

substantially less height than said end walls, and a longitudinal handle of rolled sheet metal having its ends disposed directly against the upper portions of said peripheral flanges, said sheet metal handle being formed with depending flanges at its ends secured directly to said end walls.

extending well fab ove' sa-idside'walls, said end 5. A tote box comprising, in combination, i

a box portion having relatively low side walls and peak-shaped end walls extending well 1 above said side walls, a handle extending longitudinally of said box and secured to said end walls adjacent the peaks thereof,

a pair of angle members secured to said end walls with the horizontal legs thereof disposed in the plane ofthe; upper edges of said a side Walls, a pair of extendable trays norman positioned on said horizontal legs in adjacent relationship above the bottom of said box portion, oflset links pivotally con-- necting said trays to said end Walls for perv mitting said trays to be extended in opposite directions oversaid side walls to uncover said box portion, and; lids hinged to the outer edges ofsaid trays, said lids having means thereon adapted to engage each other to prevent opening of said lids and to prevent said trays from being extended over said side Walls. 7 :7 15 In testimony whereof I aflix mysignature. I a HARRY P. SHRIVER. 

